Chapter 367

Duane’s body swayed. “Winter, I didn’t… it was Willie, he’s the one who said you-”

“What he said doesn’t matter. What matters is that you brought me to this gathering, and you used me to strike up a conversation with Mr. Plight, didn’t you? Or was that also Willie’s idea? If so, he’s quite thorough, isn’t he?”

“Winter, please, let me explain… I didn’t try to manipulate you or use you. I was genuinely scared to come to this meeting; that’s why I asked you to come with me…”

“Scared? I saw how well you blended in at the table, how smoothly you handled everything. You seemed to be enjoying yourself. Is that what you call being scared?”

“I…” Duane found himself at a loss for words.

“This is the end. From now on, when we meet, we’re strangers.”

With that, Winter turned to leave.

Suddenly, Duane’s voice turned cold and dark, almost like it came from the depths of hell. “Think you can just walk away from me? You really think it’s that easy?”

Winter turned back, and the cheerful, puppy-like man she once knew was gone. In his place stood someone with a chilling, greedy expression.

“Two million,” he demanded, “and the lead role in that A-list series. Then we’re even.”

Winter laughed and moved closer, step by step. “Are you… trying to negotiate with me?”

“Call it what you want,” he bit back, “but yes.”

“And you think you’re in a position to negotiate? What makes you think you have any leverage?”

“Our intimate photos. Is that enough leverage?” he challenged.

Winter didn’t flinch. Instead, her smile grew brighter. “And if I don’t agree? You’ll go public with the photos?”

“That’s right.”

“Go ahead,” she said calmly. “Release them.”

“You-” Duane looked stunned.

Winter continued, “I’ve got a great face and a good figure. There’s nothing about me I’m ashamed of. But you... if those photos go public, how long do you think you can hide the fact that you’re a kept man?

“I, for one, don’t care. I’m not trying to make it in the entertainment world or become a big star. But what about you? Are you prepared to give that up?”

In two sentences, she hit his weak spot with perfect precision.

Duane’s expression twisted through a range of emotions before he returned to his pitiful, puppy-like demeanor. “Winter, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please don’t leave me…”

Winter curled her lips into a smirk, lifting her hand to pat his cheek. Her gaze was cold and merciless.

“When I like you, I can spoil you, love you, indulge you. But when I don’t, I can discard you just as easily, like trash. That’s the rule—understood? If you want to survive in this industry, know your place. Don’t overestimate yourself.

“To put it nicely, I’m your benefactor. To be blunt, you’re just a dog I feed. And when a dog dares to bite its master, do you know what happens?”

She leaned in, her words sharp and deliberate. “It gets put down.”

With every sentence she uttered, Duane’s face grew paler. By the end, he was trembling as sweat poured down his face.

Winter observed his reaction with satisfaction, gave a faint smile, and walked away.

As she disappeared, a figure emerged from the shadows, a cigarette burned down to the filter. He tossed it to the floor and ground it under his heel.

Zach stared in the direction Winter had gone, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

“Tsk, how ruthless,” he muttered to himself. “Even more decisive than I am when cutting ties with women.” Yet, somehow…

Damn, she was captivating!

Zach smirked and chased after her. His girlfriend was heartbroken; wasn’t it his duty to show some concern?